New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-09
WHAT has BEEN GAINED FOR REFORM

There is no doubt about it, the free-trlde
wing of the Independents is very much
alarmed at the possible result of Mr.. Curtiss
confession that CIeveland's Administration has
bcen n failure so far as the reform OF the
Civil Service is concerned. tremendous
pressure has been brought to bear upon Mr..
Curtis to induce him in " Harper's Weekly
TO break the force of his Newport speech.
That is the evident purpose Of the crafty
articles that have been printed IN every issue
of the free trade Mugwump journals since the
Civil Service LeaGue met last "Wednesday.
It will be interesting to observe how far Mr..
Curtis will yield
1t will be impossible, however, to practise
any deception upon the body Of the indie
pendents in 1883. 1t is a matter OF small
consequence whether Mr.. Cleveland allan
doned lis announced reform purposes because
he is an intriguer and a chaIlatan. or because
he is weak. He started out with great
flourish of trumpetS as a refOrmer and for
months he appeared to be endcavoring 10
hold back the famishcd horde of Democratic
place holders, so that there was no question
of the hostility which by far the great ma
iority of his party felt for him. But he was
steadily giving them all they asked, until
now there Is, as Mr.. Curtis is reluctantly
forced to acknowledge, as complete partisan
reconstruction of the service as is possible.
There is no way to read reform IN thcse
facts. and The situation is not affected by
conceding good motives to Cleveland.
The practical question for the Mugwumps Is
this L" If Cleveland, though personally re-
former is officially n spokesman if. to retain
power, he must bend before his party and
if his party is an uncompromising foe to
REFORM what do we gain by deserving our
own party"
If AIr. Curtis weakens in obedience to the
Free Traders, he must be prepared to answer
this question. 1t is no answer to say mat
the reform sentiment has gained ground
since 1884. OF course it has. Every good
sentiment gains ground as fast as 1t gains
circulation. But has it gained ground IN the
statutory extension of its principles? Not
much. 1t gained so much ground under
Grant and Hayes that il became a law. 1t
gained so much more ground under Arthur
that the law was built up and broadcncd
immensely and made Il powerful resistant to
spOilsmcn. All this was accomplished by
the Republican party in the teeth of 4 prac
tically unanimous Democratic opposition. And
neither Grant nor Hayes nor Garfield was
elected on the Civil Service issue. Bat
Cleveland was according TO the Mugwump
view. That was the supreme purpose OF his
election. And yet what ground has been
gained since? Mr.. Curtis sums up the situa-
ton when he says that Mr. Cleveands party
traditions have overwh elmed him and an
unprecedented opportunity has been lost.
In the light Of these facts, 1t hardly seems
grateful for the League rcformcrs to class
the party which has thus practically cngiavcn
the sentiment into law with the party tnat
has bitterly opposed it, and to say that cN-
isting parties will not accomplish reform.
The Republican Legislatures Of Massachusetts
and Newly DIRK have written the reform In
their statute books and kept it there despite
the fact that in this State every Democrat
in the Assembly with three exceptions voted
to wipe it Off The late Republican Con-
vention in Ohio has paved the way for its
adoption there while in the Democratic
Convention it was denounced by the very
occupant Of the chair. The Republican tend
ency in every Stale is in favor of the reform
and the Democratic tendency against it,
And yet it unquestionably will be difficult OF
accomplishment if those who profess TO have
its interests closest at heart join hands with
those who despisc and hate it.